gRAPHICaNATOMY

With What They Left: It’s Art You Can’t Avoid

They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Ever wonder what happens to the “treasures” you throw away? Well, you can stop guessing. “With What They Left” is an exhibit featuring art made entirely from discarded materials. Ron Copeland, Dana Depew, Joseph Close, and Dave Desimone put their heads and other people’s trash together so that you can see what can be done with items like vintage suitcases and old beer signs. For the month of August, Assemble has been transformed into a junkyard wonderland, with three–dimensional pieces from everyone’s dumpster invading the space.
“People are wasting too much” says Copeland. “Too much is being thrown away that obviously is more valuable.” Thanks to these artist, it’s not just waste anymore. They are able to “extend the life of these pieces in a way that was never intended.” Our society is used to discarding entire buildings, which Desimone believes “weakens the fabric of the community that those buildings once stood in.”
The three creators range from degree–holders to self–taught artists. Desimone says the show will encourage “the idea that if anyone has an idea, they can do something creative. Don’t let your fear of failure hold you back from actually trying something.” Copeland is looking to strike a chord with you, aiming to prompt you to “look at things in everyday life a little differently” and get “more use out something before you discard it.”

Copeland, Depew, Close and Desimone will include trashed items that range in age from a decade old, to pieces they found days before the exhibit. Come on over to be inspired to turn your trash into something creative. The flashing lights, peep holes, and hefty installation pieces will be sure to catch your eye. “It’s art you can’t avoid!”

About Assemble::
Assemble is a community space for arts and technology, which opened at 5125 Penn Avenue in the heart of the Penn Avenue Arts District in April of this year. Our mission is to invite our neighbors of all ages to engage their intrigue and creativity through hands-on explorations of arts and technology, forging physical and non-physical community connections. Our programs include monthly openings during the Unblurred gallery crawls, as well as workshops, lectures and community activities with a focus on providing quality creative programming for the children of our neighborhood.
More information at http://assemblepgh.org/



Here is further Information on the show.
Joseph Close, Ron Copeland, Dana Depew, Dave Desimone. 4 artists reusing and rethinking materials found and salvaged from the "Rust Belt" region. Using anything from scrape wood and metal to window frames and wall paper they're recycling yesterdays junk into furniture sculptures and installations.

-Dave Desimone-
More of an observer than an artist, Dave Desimone assembles fragments of the past into commentaries about the pr...esent. Desimone is most interested in trying to understand why and how our collective and personal histories move from recent memory to being completely forgotten, often in the matter of a few months or years. "Not only do we disrespect our historical past, it appears most American's actively seek to disconnect themselves from it. We are quick to dispose of the very fabric and structure that helps to hold communities together." Desimone holds a Master's degree in Public History from Kent State University and was last seen jumping over a rusty fence.

-Ron Copeland-
Ohio native and avid photographer, Ron Copeland, is reclaiming the abandoned buildings of the Rust Belt. For the last eight years, Copeland has explored the depths of these structures to uncover and re-imagine the textures, colors, and the artifacts their tenants left behind. Copeland, who is also a professional archival framer, uses the ‘junk’ he collects to, quite literally, reframe the past—a desk becomes a canvas, old signs and scraps of wallpaper become part of a new visual composition. This is not just an aesthetic choice; reuse and repurposing were part of the time captured in Copeland’s art. The buildings Copeland explored were made to last for an industrial period that didn’t. Rarely are these structures and artifacts seen outside of the context of loss. In this exhibition, he hopes to show the Rust Belt “just the way it is,” a portrait of wasted resources, but also of opportunity. A majority of the materials he used to create this installation were salvaged or recycled. Artists have always found beauty in decay, and Copeland is no exception. Here, though, the work resists nostalgia by recontextualizing found objects into contemporary compositions. In this way, the artwork reminds us that while we can’t change the past, we can reshape the present. Copeland's photography, framing, and assemblage gathers the raw material of the Rust Belt and invites us to see it as it is today, through his eyes.

Joseph Close

Dana Depew-
Dana grew up in a large family on a farm in rural Medina, Ohio. At an early age, he was fascinated by the intricacies of how things worked. He began taking things apart and attempted to put them back together for curiosity’s sake. Dana was formally educated in the arts at Kent State University with a concentration in sculpture. His current work focuses heavily on the usage of found objects and resurrecting discarded materials into wholly new vibrant works. Dana opened Asterisk Gallery in 2001, which is an exhibition space that gives much needed opportunities to emerging regional artists. As well as exhibiting his work in exhibitions nationally, Dana is tireless in promoting the arts by curating exhibitions, judging art competitions and residing on the board of directors of several arts and cultural organizations.

Inspired by my childhood fascination with lights, I began disassembling and reassembling antique lamps and chandeliers. I was curious about the structure and assemblage, but even more so, mesmerized by the way various colors, shades and brightness of the bulbs created various sensory experiences for the viewer.

Like the actual materials, the experience is both nostalgic, yet, new. Retro, still, modern.

Although highly visual in nature, the scale and texture of these works explore other sensory perceptions. The sculptures explore personal themes relating to self-exploration, particularly, my own questions regarding breaking down, being re-built, and how many times "rebirth" can occur. Is it then new or different? The usage of light reflects the idea that these discarded and unwanted objects can transcend the boundaries of "trash" into something to be desired. What was once broken and empty is now full of light and has been carefully nursed back to health and utilization.

This work was created as a collaboration over time. I had met several people online and was inspired to draw portraits from the photos they had posted. the drawings turned out nice but I felt i needed more input from the subjects, so i asked them to write me a letter each in their own native language. various objects, chosen for their aesthetic and contextual value were also added to create a more in depth character study. The result is a dialogue of sorts between artist and model.




"It is our responsibility to bring friendship and love from all places around the world and live together in peace." ~ Jackie Chan

Pittsburgh, PA Sept. 2, 2011- Most Wanted Fine Art Features International Women Artists Including Pittsburgh's own Sam Thorp
These talented emerging artists: Gemma Allan, Maren Eline Aune, Martina Biccheri Sylvia K, & Sarina Meester will show along with Pittsburgh's Sam Thorp; who also curated the show. These women met online in a music forum and over the years developed their creative talent and ability as well as friendships. Styles and content vary among the ladies who come from such places as Scotland, Italy, Holland and Norway.
Refreshments and music by Grand Snafu will fill out the evening.
Exhibition runs from: Friday September 2nd to September 25th, 2011.
Opening Reception: Friday 2nd of September 6pm- to 11pm

The Artists:
Gemma Allan is from Scotland, UK. She creates geometrically abstract compositions using a rhythm of color and shape. Samples of her work can be seen at: http://www.funkyness.co.uk

Maren Eline Aune is from Norway and is working on a photographic journal of personal issues and recovery through intense and confrontational self- portraiture. Samples of her work can be seen here: http://kaput0103.deviantart.com/

Martina Biccheri from Rome, Italy shows an incredible instinct for classical beauty even with non- conventional subject matter in her photography. Samples of her work an be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/temporary-22/

Sylvia K is a citizen of Italy, France & USA. Her drawings have amazing wit and charm. Samples can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sylviakart

Sarina Meester is from Holland and works professionally as a designer for major companies, but she still makes time to create art dedicated to her love for music.
Her portfolio site is: http://www.exquision.com

Sam Thorp is form Pittsburgh, PA and has many art shows here as well as around the world. Her work is mainly figurative with a strength in color and portraiture. Her work can be seen at: http://www.graphicanatomy.com

The Gallery:
Most Wanted Fine Art is dedicated to promoting quality artists and contemporary art & music among the community. Owner and artist Jason Sauer has exhibited and introduced artists of a multitude of movements, styles and media. These talented creators have come from all over the world, revealing the influence of their cultures, and personal experiences. MWFA also hosts yoga classes in the daytime and music shows at night.
Most Wanted Fine Art
5015 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15224
http://www.most-wantedfineart.com/
most-wanted@yahoo.com